Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The New York Times recently published "Making It Clubby," an interview with the decorator of the new Bill's, formerly Bill's Gay 90s. (The place opens next week.) A reader also sent in a bunch of photos some weeks back showing the state of poor, old Bill's in between the gutting and the redo. So, photos interspersed with quotes from the article:

"Her specialty is taking a space with New York history and breathing life into it by buffing up old surfaces and adding cool touches."

"the five-story 1890s brownstone had gone shabby in recent years, and the taps slowed to a trickle before the place closed nine months ago. 'It wasn’t living up to its potential,' said the decorator."

"'Often with restaurants, they don’t have a long life,' Ms. Sharpe said, taking a seat in a brown leather banquette upstairs. 'My job is to give them a classic aspect so people will come back.'"

Let's remember the real story of what happened here, shall we?

Bill's Gay 90s was not shabby at all when the landlord refused to renew their lease this past spring--it had an already clubby, old-world atmosphere that was earned, a collection of antiques and real history amassed over a near-century of existence.

It didn't need to be given a classic "aspect," because it was an authentic classic.

Business was brisk--the place breathed with life every night.

The restaurant had enjoyed an exceptionally long life, thriving since 1924. It lived up to its potential and then some.

And it didn't close--it was pushed out. As the owner wrote on the website, "Our landlord refused to renew our lease and after an 88 year run, we were forced to close."

As a wise magazine once said, "Bleeccch!"Absolutely in agreement with David. This article is entirely appalling, which is not surprising given that it's in the fashion section. New = Good = Money. No matter who it f*cks over. (But isn't the taxidermy fad passé at this point?)

This makes one think of George Velonikis' defense of his horrible redo of Washington Square Park. He insists " It was old!". So are the Borghese Gardens. What it needed was a to the "T" restoration and he made it into some fey nightmare funded by the Wash. Sq Hotel and other nearby businesses (NYU?) that wanted it to be something other than what it was. Now condo owners nearby can feel good about the park, since it is as gauche and nouveau riche looking as they.

I really hope karma slaps DeLucie and everyone involved in this right in the face. Barbara, the owner and the daughter of the founding owner told me that she offered to pay the same rent that DeLucie is paying and they refused. My wish is that everyone in New York throws an egg at the place on their opening night.

Better to know the truth behind the facade, hidden under the hype--to smell the blood on the bricks, see the tears in the eyes of those who've been bullied and bounced. Better to feel for the facts than dream along with the polished fantasy.